The city of Phoenix has spent roughly half of the federal funds it received for coronavirus aid relief, according to an update in a city council policy session Tuesday.
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, Phoenix received $293 million in COVID-19 relief funds, with $75 million being allocated for community services. According to an update by Deputy City Manager Jeff Barton, $37.2 million of the $75 million has been spent.
There are seven different sections under community services: business assistance, utility and rent assistance, distance learning and Wi-Fi access, mitigation and care for vulnerable populations, food delivery and better health outcomes. There is still $6 million that is currently not allocated. Those funds must be spent by Dec. 30, 2020 or be returned to the federal government, per the CARES Act guidelines.
In the session, Barton also brought up whether or not the city is on track to be spent for spend the remaining $6 million by Dec. 30. Overall, Barton said many relief funds are on track to be spent by the end of the year, and some have already been fully funded.
“Not only are we doing more than what the state has done, I can tell you based on conversations and calls weekly, the city of Phoenix has done more and accomplished more with coronavirus relief funds than any other city in the country,” Barton said.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and council members praised Barton and his staff for their handling of the funds, saying they’ve shaped a program that has “saved lives.”
Barton highlighted heat relief programs as the “crowning jewel” of the community service funds, which have aided 22,700 individuals who have visited heat relief shelters, such as the Phoenix Convention Center being used as a heat relief shelter for homeless populations.
Councilmember Carlos Garcia, District 8, spoke in favor of focusing on issues with youth and getting people back to work.
“I think support for youth programs that leads into creating jobs is something I think we could do right now,” Garcia said. “We have to as a city now come together and support those who have lost jobs.”
Phoenix Vice Mayor Betty Guardado, District 5, echoed Garcia’s statements about finding work for those whose careers have had to change.
“We have a lot of people that need to start a new career and new path,” Guardado said. “Let’s hope we can bring something great to 2021.”
Barton finished his update by asking asked the council to take the next few days to think about reallocating potential funds that may not be spent by Dec. 30. He said that some potential topics to look into reallocating would be fixing the digital divide, refugee relief, healthcare, payroll reimbursement for the currently unallocated $6 million.
Councilmember Sal DiCiccio, District 6, also spoke in favor of allocating funds for paying down the pension debt which he said would provide future stability. He said “we have got to get our city opened” and that Phoenix was lagging a bit with getting people back to work.
The council will meet again next month for another update from Barton and to discuss the potential reallocation of funds.
Contact the reporter at tprober6@asu.edu
